Armed Forces Bowl features special guests

Joe Theismann, an entrepreneur and former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins, has been named the keynote speaker of the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Team Kickoff Luncheon, presented by the Omni Fort Worth Hotel and American Airlines. Held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, the luncheon will take place at noon (CT) on Friday, Dec. 28, the day prior to the 10th anniversary of the postseason bowl game. American's sponsorship stems from its long-standing support for military, veterans and their families.

A 1971 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Joe Theismann received All-American honors and led the Fighting Irish to consecutive Cotton Bowls and was runner-up to Jim Plunkett in the Heisman Trophy balloting. In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After turning down offers from the Minnesota Twins and Miami Dolphins, Theismann began his professional career in the Canadian Football League, spending three years with the Toronto Argonauts before joining the NFL's Washington Redskins in 1974. From his humble beginnings as a punt returner to his triumph as Super Bowl Champion, Theismann has experienced many of the challenges we all face in our constant quest to find success, by overcoming adversity.

General Norton A. Schwartz has been named the 2012 recipient of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl's Great American Patriot Award. The award will be presented by Armed Forces Insurance, the sponsor of the award and the official insurance partner of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

General Schwartz served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. until his retirement on August 12, 2012. As Chief, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian personnel serving in the United States and overseas. While a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he also functioned as a military adviser to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.